Automatic time regulator for sprinkling systems



ba 1929- c. w. STEWART ET AL AUTOMATIC TIME REGULATOR FOR SPRINKLI NG SYSTEMS Filed April 20, 1927 IdN V EN TOR I w A TTORNEY 5: FRAME 5142222 Patented Mar. 5, 1929,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. STEWART AND FBANk R. BATER, OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

Application med April 20, 1927. Serial a. 185,139.

Our invention relates to automatic time regulators for s rinkling systems for lawns, parks or the li e, and the/objects of our invention are: first, to provide a device of this class which automatically causes the sprinkling system to erate at predeterw mined intervals, and to eep the sprinkling system in operation a predetermined len th of time; second, to provide a device of t is class which will maintain a'uniformity in the time between the duration of sprinkling period even if the water supply should be shut off for a time between active periods; third, to provide a device of this class which will operate with a minimum amount of care and will need little or no adjustment;

fourth, to provide a device of this class which has means for regmlating the periods of action and inaction, and which are independently adjustable; fifth, .to provide a device of this class which is adaptable to and may be easily installed or added to any sprinkling system; sixth, to provide a device of this class which is not only adapted to regulate the eriod of flow of water, but that of other flui s, and seventh, to provide a device of'this class which is economical of constructi'on, efiicient in its action, durable, compact, easy to install, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, our invention consists of certain noval features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in'the appended claims, reference beinghad to the 7 accompan ing drawings and to the characters of re erence thereon, which form'a' part of this application, in which:

Figure l'i's a longitudinal sectional view of our automatic time regulator for sprinkling systems, with parts and portions shown in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is another transverse sectional view thereof, through 3- -3 ofFig. 1, and Fig. 4 is another transverse sectional view through 4-4-0f Fig, 1.

Similar characters of referencev refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The casing members 1, 4 and 8, plunger member 2, regulator plunger member 5, spring 6, bolts 3 and 7, needle valves 9 and 10, check valve 11, cover plate 12, and screws 13, constitute the principal parts and portions of our regulator.

The'casing 1 is shaped as shown and prov1d ed with a passage 1" threaded internally at its rear portion and which is constricted at 1*, leaving a central opening about onehalf the diameter of the passage 1". Just forward of the constricted portion 1 the passage jogs downwardly, thence forwardly to the forward end of the casing parallel with the rear portion of the passage. In the ogged portion of the passage 1 is a small a erture 1, in which is reciprocally mounte the plunger rod 2 of the plunger 2. The aperture 1 is in alinement with the axial line of the rear portion of the passage 1. The plunger rod 2" extends through the constricted portion 1 and at the rear. of said constricted portion is provided with a valve 2, which closes the opening of the constricted portion when the plunger is inthe osition shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 o the drawings. The forward end of the plunger rod 2 is secured to a plunger 2, which is reciprocally mounted in a cylinder portion.1 of the casing 1, andwhichis substantially the same size and in alinement with the rear portion of the passage 1. The passage 1, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, jogs around the cylinder 1". Just be hind the constricted portion 1 is an opening to a small passage 1, which extends parallel to the passage '1 and alongside the cylinder 1. The passage 1 turns abruptly and opens'into a hollow cylinder portion 1 which receives the plunger portion ofthe i'egulator plunger 5, which wlll be described ater. l and at the upper side thereof is a small, upwardly extending passage 1, which opens into the hollow cylinder portion 1, thereby connecting the cylinder 1 with the hollow portion 1 The two openings of the passages 1 and 1 are in alinement with, and separated slightly from, each other. The forward end ofthe casing 1 isfianged outwardly and is provided with holes, which aline with similar holes in the casing 4 and are secured thereto by means of bolts 3. Between the two casings 1 and 4 is positioned a gasket, which prevents leaking of any fluid from within the regulator. The casing 4 is provided at its lower portion with 'a passage 4, which corresponds to the passage 1 and is in alinement therewith. Also the casing 4 is provided with a hollow portion 4", which Near the forward end of the cylinderalines with and is a Continuation of the hollow portion 1 Near the rear edge of the .a short distance into the casing 1 and then merges into a cylinder portion t which is considerably larger than the hollow ortion and extends to the forward end of t e casing 4. Within the cylinder portion P is reciprocally mounted a regulator plunger member 5, which is provided with a hollow plunger rod 5, which extends into the hollow portions 2 and 1 On the lower side of the plunger rod 5 are two slots 5 and 5.

The slot 5 connects the passages 1 and 1 when in the position shown b the solid lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. he slot 5 connects thepassage 1 with the passage 4: when the plunger is in the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawin s. The plunger rod 5 is hollow from en to end and is provided with a plug 6 in its rear end to which is secured a spring 6. The sprin 6 extends from the plug 6 through the pl unger rod 5, and is secured to the easing member 8 by means of an eye bolt 6 It will be noted that the hollow portion l is provided with a small hole in its rear end to allow passage of air as the iston rod 5 moves backwardl and forward in the hollow portion 1 he casing mem er 4 is provided with outwardly extending flanges, which are rovided with holes through which exten bolts 7, which secure the casing member 8 to the casing member 4. Between the two casings is a gasket, which prevents any leakage of fluid from within the device. The casing member 8 covers the open end of the cylinder portion 4 of the casing 4 and is provided at its lower end with a passage 8", which is a continuance of the passages 4 and 1. On the forward face of the casing 8, which covers the cylinder portion 4, is a downwardly extending passage 8", which passes across theaxial line of the cylinder, and which extends into the passage 8* where it is preferably curved as shown. Over its lower opening is positioned a filter 8. The passage 8 is provided with two spaced apart holes in which needle valves v9 and 10 are screwably mounted. On

the rear portion of the passage 8", opposite the aforementioned holes, are apertures 8 and 8, which connect the passage 8 with the cylinder 4 and permit the passage of a liquid into the cylinder 4. The valve 9 regulates the size of the lower openin 8", and the valve 10 regulates the size of t e upper opening 8*. The opening 8 is further provided with a check valve 11, which only perthe opening 8, thus permitting the cylinder 4 to fill up more quickly than it will empty.

The casing 8 extends forwardly on all sidesaround the needle valves, and is provided with a cover 12, which is secured to the casing by means of screws 13. The cover 12 rotects the needle valve against accidental gisarrangement, but permits easy access for adjustment.

The operation of our device is as follows:

The fluid pressure from the main holds the valve 2 closed, but a portion of the fluid passes through the passage 1*, through the slots 5 through the passage 1 into the cylinder 1. Because of the larger area of the cylinder 1 and the piston 52, the valve 2 is lifted from its seat and the water flows through the passage 1*, then through the passage 4, then out through the passage 8 into the sprinkling system or other desired destination. Part of the fluid is forced up the passage 8 through the valves 8- and 8 into the cylinder 4 As the pressure of the water in the cylinder becomes greater than the force of the spring 6, the plunger moves rearwardly until it assumes the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The slots 5 then connect the passages 1 and 4;, which permit the water within the cylinder 1 to pass out, thereby permitting the valve 2 to close. The fluid in the regulator cylinder, now lacking the pressure of the main, is forced out through the vlower needle valve 8, the upper opening 8 being closed by the check valve 11. When the water has permitted the Plunger to regain the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the assages 1 and 1 are again connected and t e valve 2 is again opened. By adjusting the size of the openings 8 and 8' by means of the needle valves 9 and 10, the period of action and inaction can be controlled.

It will be noted that this device is not only adapted to regulate the period of flow of water, but also to regulate the period of flow of any fluid desired.

Though we have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, we do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of our invention, the construction, combination and ar rangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus desciibed our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1 In a device of the class described, a cas ng, a passage .extendin through said casing, a valve means in said passage, 8. cyla second bypass between inder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass between said cylinder and said valve, and a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage;

2. In a device of the class described," a casing, a passage extending through said casing, a valve means'in said passage, :1 cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mount-- ed within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass between said cylinder and said valve, a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage, and pressure actuated means communicating with the opposite side of said passage for automatically and alternately opening and closing said second bypass.

3. In a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of said casing, a valve means near the one end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to saidvalve means, a bypass between said cylinder and said valve, said cylinder and said passage, a second cylinder, a plunger within said 0 linder, and a plunger rod secured to sai plunger, said rod provided with means adapted to alternately open and close said second bypass.

4. In a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of said casing, a valve means near the one end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass between said cylinder and said valve, a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage, a second 0 linder, a plunger within said cylinder, a p unger rod secured to saidplunger, said rod provided with means adapted to alternately open and close said bypass, and a second bypass between said first mentioned passage and said second mentioned cylinder.

5. In a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of said casing, a valve means near the one end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, abypass between said cylinder and said valve, a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage, a second cylinder, a plunger within said cylinder, a plunger rod secured to said plunger, said rod rovided with means adapted to alternate y open and close said bypass, a second bypass between said first mentioned passage and said second mentioned cylinder, and valve means for regulating the flow of fluid into and out of said second mentioned cylinder.

6. In a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of, said casing, a valve means near the one within said cylinder, a p

end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass between-said cylinder and said valve a second bypass between said cylinder an said passage, a second c linder, a plunger l unger rod secured to, said plunger, said rod provided with means adapted to alternately 0 en and close said bypass, a second bypass hetween said first mentioned assage and said second mentioned cylin er, and valve means for regulating the flow of fluid into and out of said second mentioned cylinder, said second mentioned passage extending into said first mentioned passage and provided with a filter screen.

7. In a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of said casing, a valve means near the one end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass'between said cylinder and said valve, a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage, a second cylinder, a plunger within said cylinder, a plunger rod secured to said plunger, said rod provided with means adapted to alternately open and close said bypass, a second bypass between said first mentioned passage and said second mentioned cylinder,valve means for regulating the flow of fluid into and out of said second mentioned cylinder, said second mentioned passage extending into said first mentioned passage and provided with a filter screen, and spring means tending to hold said piston against the pressure of said flow.

8; a device of the class described, a casing, a passage extending from end to end of said casing, a valve means near the one end of said passage, a cylinder, a plunger means reciprocally mounted within said cylinder secured to said valve means, a bypass between said cylinder and said valve, a second bypass between said cylinder and said passage, a second cylinder, a plunger within said cylinder, a plunger rod secured to said plunger, said rod provided with means adapted to alternately open and close.said bypass, a second bypass between said first mentioned passage and said second men-' tioned cylinder, a plurality of valve regulated openings for controllin the flow of a fluid into and out from said second mentioned cylinder, and a check valve over one of said 0 nings adapted to prevent the passage of uid from said cylinder, said valve for regulating said opening to said cylinder being independently adjustable.

In testimony whereof,,we have hereunto set our hands at San Diego, California, this 6th day of A ril, 1927.

. SHARLES W. STEWART.

FRANK R. HATER. 

